Open AccessThoracic involvement of diffuse lymphangiomatosis successfully treated with sildenafil
Author(s) -
Arnaud Maurac,
MariePierre Debray,
Bruno Crestani,
Camille Taillé
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr-2018-228523
Subject(s) - medicine , sildenafil , lymphangiomatosis , lymphatic system , lung , radiology , pathology
General lymphatic anomaly (GLA) is a very rare disorder, characterised by multifocal lymphatic malformations into various tissues that is due to congenital abnormalities of lymphatic development. No treatment has ever proved its efficiency.We report a 22-year-old man with recurrent bronchial casts due to thoracic involvement of GLA. After a 6-month treatment with sildenafil (20 mg three times a day), a phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, chest CT scan showed a complete regression of ground-glass opacities and lung function test results improved substantially and remained stable for 1 year. The treatment was well tolerated.This observation suggests that sildenafil may be a therapeutic approach to be tested in thoracic involvement of GLA.